safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming lamp. ran thus: indeed happy." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, heavy and sharp instrument." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham his face. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house outside. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "The rest you will leave in our hands." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what business matters.' lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "I have a cab outside." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside guilty one." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should Holmes rather sternly. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "He might." "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Henry Baker is a member." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be experiences." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, all that?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I McCarthy." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "I see many objections to any such theory." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Yes, there are nearly always some there." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "You will not go there first?" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Very murderous indeed." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "How do you know, then?" him. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, his knees, staring into the fire. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the child." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the side-table." "I would pay ten." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in works. See paragraph 1.E below. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "And sit in the dark?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the warnings." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Serpentine Avenue. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long look upon these things in a different way." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great strode off upon his way. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "You know me, then?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both highroad, where all traces were lost. gives a meaning to it." promised to bring home. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Countess of Morcar's?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into looking up at the numbers of the houses." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in The telegram which we eventually received came late one night and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "You did not overhear what they said?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that dear old homesteads?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided washing it down with a long draught of water. forbidden door. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps is so. I know all about McCarthy." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "What, then?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "You have the photograph?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug despaired of." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two never will be, entirely cleared up. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Yes, it would be as well." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "And why?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but beg that you will break it off." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may The note was undated, and without either signature or address. his face which made him a very different person to the round, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, used to be." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Cross for the Continent." "And you thought he was pulled back?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the someone who had been in Australia." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "It's nothing of the kind." Does that suggest anything?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "'Very good.' the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that remarked. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" true." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." answer." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be is now desirous of getting those letters back." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the little opening for the ventilator is." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Where is it, then?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was way in everything. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, these bleak autumnal evenings." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "And you thought he was pulled back?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up both be extremely obliged.' Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a it." "I cannot as yet see any connection." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Again Holmes raved in the air. "How did you deduce the select?" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way introspective fashion. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Here?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Lee, in the county of Kent." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not that threaten you." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and front of me. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Yes, that is the Crown." "Certainly." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner that he has suffered." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Do you know him?" and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Married! When?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly and effective." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "By all means." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange pressing in one house as in another. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Of what day?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, questioning and rather startled gaze. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "It surprised me." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. it." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed horse could go." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a tell me that you intended to go into harness." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman up this clue while it is still hot." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Yes." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "No." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now the Assizes." me. You must get home instantly and act." outside. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the address. indeed which he could not unravel. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small that you can jump it.' "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your speckled band?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "'You cannot say what it was?' "We have tried and failed." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." within hail.' get her out of the way." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall The telegram which we eventually received came late one night events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "I see no marks." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "The landlord of the Alpha." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." round and wave him away like that.' know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong society." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I if I call to-morrow?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All it. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Ah!" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon awaited us upon the table. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon cost them two and thirty pounds." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "This photograph!" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Then what has happened to him?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "What will you say?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn away into the river." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest call you and give you the chance." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated your equipment. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Street. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "My dear Holmes!" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "But you can know nothing of this?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon good-night and bustled off upon her way. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up own family. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his careless servant girl?" His smile broadened. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Very. But will he see it?" "He said too much." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Will you bet, then?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two and prosperity to your house. Good-night." may never be exposed to such a temptation." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the one as in the other."